Soda fountain



June 23, 1931. F. l. RAYMOND 1,811,807

SODA FOUNTAIN Filed March zo. 1929 2 sheets-sneu 1 Lmfenfr' I i'edf @AMM A, WM

OTTlQ/LAS.

, June 23, 1931. F. l. RAYMOND SODA FOUNTAIN l Filed March 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 um m EH? f1? alza @Mq Patented June 23, 1931 f UNirEn rssd Per OFFICE i FRED i. RAYivnoNn, on Riva-n remise, ILtiNois SODA FOUNTAIN Application filed March V20, 1929.v Serial No. 348,488.

This invention relates to improvements in ly drawn oil'. VVhencooled liquid is Withsoda fountains, or similar refrigerating apdrawn from the cooler, warmer liquid will paratus, and more particularly to new and iiow in from the source of supply to take its improved means for automatically maintainplace, and it is then desirable that tlie tein-A 5` ing the soda, drinking water, or other liquid perature of the brine in the auxiliary tank 55v that? is intermittently drawn through the be lowered so asV to quickly lower the tem-r fountain at approximately the desired temperature of this new supply of liquid in the perature. In the modern soda fountain, it isY cooler. According to the present invention, desirable that several different temperatures, an automatic valve is located in the conduit l0" all below the prevailing atmospheric temperleading fromjtlie cooler to the faucet, this 60 ature, be maintained in different portions of valve being normally closed, vbut automatitlie fountain, for example, in the compartcally opening when there is a flow of liquid nient or compartments for storing ice cream, through the valve, This automatic valve the compartment or tank for cooling soda controls` means for forcing, or permitting,

" and the drinking Water, the compartment. liquid to ilo-w from the main brine tank into 65 where the syrups are stored, and the general the` auxiliary tank. Consequently, whenever storage compartment for bottled goods and liquid is withdrawn from the cooler, a new similar articles. supply of colder brine will flow into the The present invention relates particularly auxiliary tank to withdraw the surplus heat 20T to means for maintaining the soda and drink from the liquid that has been drawn into the 70, ing Water at substantially a constant and cooler to replace the supply just drawn off. proper temperature. This is particularly The general-object of this invention is to difficult, due to the fact that the cooled sup-v provide a Ynew and improved refrigeratiiig; ply of these liquids is being interniittf-intlyl system Vfor soda. fountains or similar appa- 5f drawn upon in varying amounts. ratus, substantially as referred to herein- According to' the present invention, a` above and as described more in detail in the main brine tank is provided with suitable specications which follow. cooling means whereby the brine in this tank Another object is to provide improved is maintained at a desired low temperature. means for intermittently applying a cooling 5W This temperature will be quite low, usually7` mediumto tlie liquid in a conduit, Whenever S0` that required for storing the ice cream, and this liquid is intermittently caused torflow consequently lower than the temperature de-V through-this conduit, or partially Withdrawn sirable for the soda or drinking water. The therefrom. 1 coolers or coils through which the soda o1' Another object is to provide means for ref drinking water, or both, pass, areipositioned newing the cooling medium Within artank, in 8.5 in an auxiliary tank containing refrigerated which a cooler is positioned, Whenever Vthe brine. The brine in this auxiliary tank will liquid Within this Cooler, is Withdrawnand be C001 bu# Will be al? a hlgh'e temperatur@ replaced by liquid at a higher temperature.

` than the brine in the main tank, and' means other Objects and advantages of thsvnan? provided lfor intermittently circulating Venton Wm be more apparent from the fop bym@ fmm the mam tank um) the. wiHhmy'-, lowino' detailed description of certainv aptaiik, in order to maintain the brine in this D Y l forms of apparatus operatinoaccordauXiliar tank at the desired temperature. Provec .C As this lirrine rises in temperature, additional to he pnncllespftug iivlf'lon i y' cold brine Will be `forced in from the brine It t e .acconipmymcmvfms' 95 in the main tank.` The cooler is connected Flg l 1,5 a Vlwv Partl'uy 1 n elimtjlonmd in circuit with` conduits leading froml the Partauyrmye 141ml. Sectlfma of VPOOH 0f fl source of supply so that the liquidwill flow f ioda founmm ShOWlng dlagmmmatlcauy the, into the cooler and from the cooler tothe lmplOVefl COOllg SYStem.V

DO faucet from'which the liquid is intermittent- F ig. 2 is afdetail view showing the aVUO- m53" matic valve in vertical section, and showing the control switch in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the automatic cut-off valve.

Referring iirst to Figs. 1 and 2, the soda fountain comprises a larger lower portion 1, housing a plurality of separate compartments for storing and cooling different materials, this portion having a. top 2 in the form of a horizontal shelf provided with openings for gaining access to certain of the compartments,

and a front upwardly projecting portion 3` providing a compartment for the syrup dispensers 4 and from which project the draft arms 5 and 6 for dispensing soda. and ice water respectively. Certain of the walls of the soda fountain may be made double, as indicated at 7 and 8, the space between being filled with insulating material 9. It is to be understood that the refrigerating apparatus and the fluid and electric circuits are illustra-ted diagrammatically, and not in the size, relative proportions and exact locations that would be found in an actual construction.

A main compartment or tank 10 is adapted to be filled with brine, in which is positioned a receptacle or freezer 11 for holding ice cream. Access to this receptacle is through an opening in the top 2 of the fountain. It is desirable that the temperature in this tank or compartment 1() be quite low, for example, from O degrees to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. lVithin the brine in this compartment 10 is positioned some suitable form of refrigerating element, such as the boiler7 shown at 12. This boiler is in the form of a. coil or assemblage of grouped tubular members in Which a compressed and liquefied material admitted through the inlet pipe 13 expands and vaporizes, the gas passing out through pipe 14. The process of expansion of this refrigerating medium serves to absorb heat from the brine in tank 1() in a well known manner. A temperature regulating control valve 15 in supply pipe 13 serves to limit the flow of the refrigerating medium to the boiler and thus regulate the temperature that is maintained in the brine tank 10. It is to be understood that the refrigerating element just described is shown by way of example and that any other form of refrigerating means might be used for maintaining the brine in tank 10 at the proper temperature. It is to be understood that the term boiler is used in the following description and in the claims as intended to designate any equivalent form of refrigerating element for keeping the brine or other fluid in the tank at the proper low temperature.

A second compartment or brine tank 16 may be positioned adjacent the main tank 10 and adapted to house freezers for bulk ice cream, or other materials. The temperature in this compartment may be somewhat higher than in compartment 10, for example, from 10 degrees to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, and suitable means are provided for circulating a portion of the brine from tank 10 through tank 16 to maintain this desired tcmperature. This system forms no part of the present invention, but is disclosed more in details and claimed in my copendine' application Serial No. 347,947 iiled March 18, 1929.

An auxiliary brine tank 17 for cooling the soda, or drinking water, or both, is positioned at one side of or in one corner of the large compartment 18 which is used for general storage purposes. The soda and plain water that are refrigerated by the brine tank 17 should be kept at a temperature of from 33 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas a temperature of from 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit is proper in the refrigerati ng compartment 18. This compartment 18 is cooled by conduction from the brine tank 17 positioned therein. lVithin the brine tank 17 positioned a cooler 19 through which the soda circulated in the example here sho-wn. At to be understood that a similar but separ 1:. cooler may be used for cooling the dri! water, this cooler being positioned within the same auxiliary tank 17, or within a similar auxiliary tank. Preferably the cooler 19 will be designed to hold about one-half the volume of auxiliary tank .17, so that the volume of liquid in cooler 19 will be approximateliiv the same as the volume of brine .sui-rounding the cooler in tank 17. The cooler 19 may be of any approved tubular or cellular construction so as to provide a large evternall heat conducting surface.

The soda or other liquid flows in from the source of supply through pipe 2O at one end of the cooler and passes out through pipe 21, preferably connected with the opposite end of the cooler. The pipe or conduit 21 leads into the automatic valve 22 (hereinafter described), and conduit 23 leads from the Lvalve 22 to the draft arm 5. 1Whenever the faucet 24 on draft arm 5 is opened, soda will fiov.v out from cooler 19 through conduits 21,22 and 23, and new liquid at a higher temperature will flow into the cooler from the source of supply through pipe 20. Then faucet 24 if; closed, this flow will cease.

The automatic valve 22 is disclosed more in detail in Fig. 2. The'outlet conduit 23 is tapped into the top of the hollow valve easing 25. A hollow cylinder 2G is screwed or otherwise secured in one side of casing 25, and the inlet pipe 21 is tapped into the otherwise closed outer 'end of this cylinder. rlhe open inner end of this cylinder is provided with a slightly enlarged cylindrical bore 27, in which is received a piston or plunger 28. This` piston is adapted to seat against a shoulder 29 at the inner end of bore 27 to limit its movement in one direction. The piston 28 is conlai) `confined between the `piston andY the inner Wall of the valve casing serves to normally urge the piston 28 into position within the cylinder 26 and against the-stop shoulder 29.

When faucet 24 is opened and liquid'is drawn olf through conduit 23 from casing 25,

liquid will tend to flow in through inletpip'e 21 to replace the liquid thus drawn through the valve, and this inilowing liquid will force piston 28 from the cylindrical passage 27 against the resistance of spring 32, thus moving piston rod 3() toward the right, Fig. 2. When this flow ceases, dueto the closingI of `faucet 24, the spring'32 will return the piston 28 into the cylinder. i

Y The tube 33 of a mercury switch is mounted in a frame 34 pivotally mounted for oscillation about the axis 35. The lower arm 3G of frame 34 is connected by link 37 with the outerl end of piston' rod 30. As the piston rod 30 is moved back and forth in response to the movements of piston 28, the frame 34 will be tipped from one side to the other of the vertical plane through axis 35, and the tube 33 will be inclined in one direction or the other so as to cause-.the mercury globule 38 therein to run from one end of the tube to the other. In one end of tube 33 is mounted a pair of normally separated contacts 39 and 40, from which lead respectively the electric conduits 41 and 42. Vhenthe switch is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the circuit will be broken. l/Vhen the switch is tilted in the opposite direction, a circuit will be completed through conduits 4l and 42 since the contact members 39 and 40 will be bridged by the mercury globule 38. It will now be apparent that when the faucet 24 is closed and there is no flow of liquid through valve 22, the piston 28 will be forced to the left by spring 32 and the switch will be moved to open position. When faucet 24 is opened and there is a flow of liquid to the valve, the piston 28 will be moved out of the cylinder 26 and the switch will be moved to closed position so as to complet-e the circuit through conduits 41 and 42. f An inlet brineconduit 43 leads from the lower portion'of main tank 10 into one' end of auxiliary tank 17, and a pump 44 of suitable form is positioned in this conduit 43. lVhen pump 44 is not in operation, no flow ofbrine will be permitted through the conduit 43. When pump 44is'operated, brine will be withdrawn from tank 1() and forced into the auxiliary tank 17. A motor-45 for operating pump 44 is connected in thev actuating circuits 41 and 42 controlled by switch 3.3. A

return conduit 46leads from the other end of auxiliary tank 17 back into the lower portion of main brine tank 10, preferably with'an upward extension 46` to discharge the returned brine into the upper portion of the tank. When pump 44 is operated, cold brine will be withdrawn from the lower portion of tank 10 and forced into the auxiliary tank 17 and the warmer brine in tank 17 will Vbe `forced out through conduit 46 and returned into the upper portion of main brine tank 10. This not only serves to lower the temperature of the brine in auxiliary tank 17, but also creates a circulation of the brine in main tank 10, thus keeping the brine in this tank in motion so as to preventl the salt from settling out tothe bottom of tank 10.

lt will now be apparent that whenever liquid is withdrawn from the supply7 in cooler 19 and replaced by warmer liquid through inlet pipe 20, a portion of the brine in auxiliary tank 17 will be forced out and replaced by colder brine from the tank 10. If the relativevolumes of the liquid in cooler 19 and the brine in tank 17 are properly proportioned, the heat absorbed from the liquid in cooler 19 by the colder brine in the auxiliary tank 17 will be just sucient to lowerl the temperature of this liquid in the cooler to the desired point. l/Vhenever the temperature of the liquid supply in cooler 19 is raised by withdrawing liquid therefrom and replacing it by warmer liquid from the outside supply, the temperature of the brine in tank 17 will be correspondingly lowered by the admission of colder brine from the main tank 10. The heat subsequently transmitted from the liquid in cooler 19 to the brine in tank 17 will result in the temperature of this new liquid supply being lowered to the' desired point. lt will be apparent that the operation is entirely automatic, and depends solely on the operation of the faucet 24, by

means of which liquid is withdrawn through the draft arm 5.

As already stated, this apparatus, or an exactly similar apparatus, could be used in connection with the drinking water supply whichis withdrawn through draft arm f5. Separator coolers for both the soda and the drinking water might berpositioned in the same tank 17 and the brine flow controlled by the flow of either-one or both of these liquids, in the manner already described.

ln'the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, parts not otherwise specifically referred to may be the same as those described in the first form of the invention. ln this modified forni of the invention, the auxiliary tank 47 is connected at its lower end by a conduit and at its upper end conduit 49 with the lower land upper portions, respectively, of the main brine tank l() so as to form a thermo-siphon loop whereby the warmer brine in tank 47 will be automatically replaced by colder. brine from tank 10. A cut-cti valve 50 inthe inlet conduit 48 will,'when closed,

prevent the flow of cold brine from tank l() into auxiliary tank 47.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the cut-ott valve comprises a vertically slidable gate ialve 5l which when lowered will prevent the flow et brine through ceuduit 4S. When gate valve 5l is raised to the position shown in Fig. 4, brine will be per' mitted to iow through the conduit 48. The automatic valve shown at 52 operates in substantially the same manner as the automatic valve Q2 previously described. The inlet pipe 53 for the soda or other liquid leads from the source ot' supply into the lower end of valve casing A piston or plunger 5b' is normally forced down into the cylindrical bore 55 by the compression spring 57. A piston rod or stein 58 connects piston 56 with the gate valve 5l so that when piston 56 torced to its lower position, the gate valve will be automatically closed. A. flow of liquid into the valve casing through inlet pipe 53 serves to elevate the piston 56 out oic the cylinder and thereby open the gate Valve 5l. The conduit 59 tapped into the upper end of the valve casing leads into the upper poixion otl cooler G0 within the auxiliary tank 47. An outlet conduit Gl leads from the lower end ot' cooler 60 to the draft arm 5 and faucet 24.

Vrlhen faucet Q4 is opened, the coolest liquid l'rom the lower portion of cooler 60 will be withdrawn through conduit 6l. farmer liquid from the source ot supply will flow in through inlet conduits 53 and 59 to the upper portion ot cooler (SO, thus resulting in the opening of automatic valve 52 and the consequent opening of gate valve 5l so that a flow ot colder brine from main tank l() will be permitted into the auxiliary tank 47. Otherwise the general operation et this modification is the same already described in connection with the first form of the invention.

In both et the automatic valves 22 and 52, a small bleeding passage 62 may be provided through the respective pistons 28 and 56. rIliis will permit a relatively small flow of liquid through the conouit without operating the 'valve so as to compensate for any possible leakage at the faucet 24 or other dra'l't mechanism.

I claim:

l. In a re'rigerating apparatus, a conduit lor liquid, a cooler forming a part of said conduit, n'ieans 'for controlling the flow et liquid through the conduit, a valve in the conduit actuated to open position by the iiow of liquid t ierethrough, and means controlled by the valve tor directing a cooling medium against the cooler when the valve is open.

Q. In a retrigerating apparaus, a conduit tor liquid, a cooler forming a part ol said conduit, means tor controlling` the i'low o' liquid through the conduit, a valve in the conduit actuated to open position by the flow ot liquid therethrough, a tank in which the cooler is positioned, and means controlled by the Valve for permitting the How of a cooling medium through the tank when the Valve is open.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, a conduit tor liquid, a cooler tunning a part et said conduit, means for controlling the 'llow of liquid through the conduit, a valve in the conduit actuated to open position by the flow of liquid therethrough, a tank in which the cooler is positioned, and means controlled by the valve for forcing a cooling medium through the conduit when the valve is open.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, a conduit for liquid, a cooler forming a part of said conduit, means for controlling the flow of liquid through the conduit, a valve in the conduit actuated to open position by the flow ot liquid therethrough, a tank in which the cooler is positioned, a pump for forcing a cooling medium through the tank, a motor for actuating the pump, a switch in the motor circuit, and connections for closing the s Yitch when the valve is moved to open position.

5. In a reirigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling said brine, an auxiliary brine tank, an inlet pipe for con ducting brine from the main tank to the auxiliary tank, an outlet pipe lor returning brine from the auxilary tank to the main tank, a pump in one of the pipes, a motor tor operating the pump, a switch in the motor circuit, a cooler in the auxiliary tank, a liquid supply conduit leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit, said valve being normally closed but opening automatically when there is a flow of liquid through the line, and operating connections between the Valve and the switch whereby the motor circuit will be closed when liquid flows through the supply conduit.

6. In a refrigerating' apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling said brine, an auxiliary brine tank, an inlet pipe for conducting brine from the main tank to the auxiliary tank, an outlet pipe for returning brine from the auxiliary tank to the main tank, a pump in one of the pipes, a motor Jfor operating the pump, a switch in the motor circuit, a cooler in the auxiliary tank, a liquid supply conduit leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit, said valve comprising a Valve casino` having a cylinder and a piston therein, a spring for normally holding the piston within the cylinder, the flow of liquid through the valveV serving to force the piston out of the cylinder against the action ot the spring, a piston rod projecting from the valve casing, and operating connections between the piston-rod and switch.

7. In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling said brine, an auxiliary brine tank, inlet and outlet pipes connecting the tanks for permitting a thermosiphon flow of brine therebetween, a cutoff valve in one of the pipes, a cooler in the auxiliary tank, a liquid supply conduit leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit, said valve being normally closed but opening automatically when there is a flow oit' liquid through the supply conduit and connections between the two valves whereby they are caused to open and close in unison.

8. In a refi'igerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling said brine, an auxiliary .brine tank, inlet and outlet pipes connecting the tanks for permitting a therniosiphon flow of brine therebetween, a cutoti valve in one of the pipes, a cooler in the auxiliary tank, a liquid supply conduit leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit, said valve comprising a valve casing having a cylinder and a piston therein, a. spring normally hol-ding the piston within the cylinder, the flow of liquid through the valve serving to force the piston out of the cylinder, and a piston rod projecting from the piston through the valve casing and operatively connected with the cut-oit valve whereby the valves are caused to open and close in unison.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank, a liquid supply conduit comprising pipes leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit which is automatically opened by the flow of liquid through the conduit, pipe connections permitting a flow of brine through the auxiliary tank from and back to the main tank, and flow controlling means in said pipe which are actuated by movements of the valve.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank, a liquid supply conduit comprising pipes leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit which is automatically opened by the How of liquid through the conduit, pipe connections permitting a flow of brine through the auxiliary tank from and back to the main tank, and means for cutting oli" the iow of brine through the auxiliary tank when the valve is closed.

1l. In a refrigeratingl apparatus, a main` brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank, a liquid supply conduit comprising pipes leading into and out of the cooler, a valve in the supply conduit which is automatically opened by the flow of liquid through the conduit, pipe connections permitting a iiow of brine through the auxiliary tank from and back to the main tank, and

means for causing a flow of brine through the auxiliary tank when the valve is opened.

, 12. In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank,Y a liquid supply conduit comprising flow of liquid through the casing serving to move the.pistonout of the cylinder into the chamber against the action of the spring, pipe connections permitting a i'low ot brine through the auxiliary tank from and back to the main tank, and flow controlling means in saidpipe connections which are actuated by the movements of the piston.

13. In a refrigeratingapparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an, auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank, a liquid supply conduit compris- A ing pipes leading into and out of the cooler, a valve casing in the supply conduit comprising a casing having a chamber and a cylinder opening into the chamber, a piston in the cylinder, a spring normally holding the piston within the cylinder, a piston rod projecting Afrom the piston through the casing,

the How of liquid through the casing serving to move `the piston out ofl the cylinder into the Vchamber against the action oit' the spring, pipe connections permitting a iow oi brine through the auxiliary tank from and 'backto the main tank, .electrically actuated flow controlling means in the pipe connections, and a switch actuated by the piston rod and controlling the electrically actuated means.

14.' In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means for cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in this tank, Va liquid supply conduit comprising pipes leading into and out of the cooler, a valve casing in the supply conduit comprising a casing having a chamber and a cylinder opening into the chamber, a piston in the cylinder, a spring normally holding the piston within the cylinder, a piston rod projecting from the piston through the casing, the iiow of liquid through the casing serving to move the piston out of the cylinder into the chamber against the action of the spring, pipe connections vpermitting a flow of brine through the auxiliary tank from and back to the main tank, a pump in the pipe connections, a motor for operating the pump, an actuating circuit for the motor, a switch in this circuit, and connections between the pist0n rod and switch for closing the switchA when the valve is open and vice versa.

15. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a main brine tank, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in said auxiliary tank,

' and means responsive to the iiow of liquid fil through said cooler for controlling the flow of brine from said main tank into said auX- iliary tank.

1G. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a main brine tank, an auxiliary brine tank, a Cooler in said auxiliary tank, means comprising a valve controlled by the iiow of liquid through said cooler for oontrolling the flow of brine from said main tank into said auxiliary tank.

17. In a refrigerating apparatus, a main brine tank, means i'or cooling the brine therein, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in said auxiliary tank, a liquid supply Conduit comprising pipes leading into and out 0iI said Cooler, means Controlled by the iow of liquid through said conduit, pipe connections permitting How of brine through the auX- iliary tank from and baek to the main tank, and flow controlling means in said pipe actuated by movements of said first-named means.

18. In a refrigerating apparatus, a conduit for liquid, means Controlling the flow of liquid through the conduit, a valve in the conduit actuated to open position by the flow of liquid therethrough, and means Controlled by said valve for directing a cooling medium into heat exchanging relationship to said oonduit for cooling said conduit when said Valve is open. A

19. In a refrigerating apparatus, the oombination of a main brine tank, an auxiliary brine tank, a cooler in said auxiliary tank, connections between said tanks producing thermosiphon flow of brine therebetween, and means responsive to the iiow of liquid through said cooler for controlling the How of brine from said main tank into said auxiliary tank through said thermosiphon connection therebetween.

FRED I. RAYMOND.

Leinsov 

